Precipitation device.



STATES PATENT @FlhlliOEo :BRUNO ItfKonnIive, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, nssIoNon To noname CYANIDING recense-coureur, or nnraoIT, MICHIGAN, a ooaroaatrroiv or ARI-zona.

PRECIPITATION DEVICE.

inea-see.

Patented Dec. 11i, 1915.

Application filed July 27, 1914, Serial No. 553,351. Renewed August 2, 1.915. Serial No. 43,3%.

To all whom Muay Concern Be it lnovvn that l, .BRUNO R. KonaINo, a ycitizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county ot' Wayne and State or ls'lichigan, have invented :certain new and useful improvements in Precipitation De* vices, ci' which the following is a specilication.` 1 Y 4 lily invention relates to precipitation de vices, and refers particularly although not exclusively) to such devices as used for the precipitation from `a solution 'of precious metals, such as gold and silver. p

Vin the process of recovering gold and silver from their ores it is customary to leach the ores with a metal-extracting solution, such as potassium cyanid, or the like. rlhis solution is iiltered, and the precious metals contained therein are then recovered from the solution by precipitation in the presence o?? a suitable metal or otherwise. In the case of gold the solution is subjected to the action of a metal, such as zinc, which causes the gold to separate from the solution in a meta lic state.

lt is the obiect of my invention to provide the tiovv of solution through the device so that sui'licient time may be 'allowed for the thorough and complete precipitation of the metal; to readily collect the precipitate separate from'the preci-pitant; and to remove the precipitate and to charge new precipitant at anytime Without interrupting the precipitation process. i

I accomplish the various results outlined above by theuse of a devi-ce consisting of a plurality ot basins, preferably arranged concentrically with each other, these basinsk preferably being cone-shaped, and of metal or other suitable material, such as Woodr or glass The basins. are arranged so that. the

metal-bearing solution passes through them successively, and during this operation passes through a large exposed area of the precipitant which is contained in the basins; or, ii' a gaseous or liquid precipitant is used, this may be injected into the apparatus with the solution. The device is provided with precipitate collecting pockets, which are ,separate from the 'compartments containing the precipitant (When a solid precipitant is used). The precipitate collecting by reason of the action of the precipitant may be readily renioved at any time during the process in a manner which Will be described in detail hereafter. After the metal-bearing solution has passed through the precipitation device` and the metals have been eXtracted from said solution, the latter is collected and may be used over again for the further leaching of ores. These and other advantages of my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which show a preferred embodiment ot my invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan of my precipitation device, the cover being shown in horizontal section; and Fig. 2 is -a vertical longitudinal section through the device shown in Fig. 1.

In the form of my precipitation device illustrated in the drawings the outer basin 10 is cone-shaped and serves as the support for the inner basins, which will presently be described. At its upper rim the basin 10 is provided with the trough llhaving the outer Wall 12 and the inner Wall 13, which,

as clearly shown in Fig. 2. is somewhat lou'er than the outer Wall l2. Ihe outlet pipe 14 leads from the trough 11. and an auxiliary pipe 15leads from the outletvpipe 14 to the lower portion of the basin 10 for the purpose of draining this basin when desired. The pipe 15 is provided with the valve 1G which is normally lfept closed. The inlet pipe 17 provided with the valve 18 passes upwardly through the basin 10. At its upper end the inlet pipe 17 has the apertured end member 19 and a plurality of lateral apertures 20 for the purpose of uni'- formly introducing the solution flowing through the inlet pipe 17 into the precipitation device. The basin 10 is also provided With the precipitate discharge passage 21 'which communicates with the pipe 21Il havtherein thegate valve 22 controlled by the handle 23. A bottle or flask 21 may be readily attached to the lower end of the pipe 21a by means of a connection 25, ot' rubber or the like. for the purpose which will presently be described.

Vitliin the outer basin 10 is located the intermediate basin 26, also cone-shaped andl concentric with the outer basin 10. The basin 26 is provided with lugs 27 on its outer surface. these lugs serving to support the basin 26 within the basin 10. The upper rim of the basin 26 is higher than the upper rim of the inner wall 13 of the trough 11.

At the apex ot' the basin 26 is provided the aperture 28, which is somewhat larger in diameter than the outside of the inlet pipe 17 so that an annular space is provided be- Vtween the outside of this pipe and the lower edge of the basin 26. Toward the upper end of the inlet pipe 17 is located the apertured collar 29, and this collar is engaged by the apertured lower end 30 of the inner cone-shaped basin 31, the apertures 32 of the end member 30 being adapted to be brought -in register with the apertures 33 in the collar 29` this result being accomplished by slightly rotating the inner basin 31. It will thus be seen that the collar 29 in reality constitutes a valve at the lower end of the basin 31, this valve being adapted to be opened or closed by rctation of the inner basin. The inner basin 31 is provided with lugs 34 similar to the lugs 27 of the intermediate basin 23. These lugs resting against the inner surface of the intermediate basin 26 serve to hold the inner basin 31 in position. It will be evident that by the use of the supporting means just described the inner and intermediate basins niav bereadily removed for cleaning or anyT other purposewhen desired. The inner basin 31 is provided toward its lower end with the precipitant retaining screen35, which occupies a position just above the upper end of the inlet pipe 17. A precipitate poclfet 3G is thereby formed in the inner basin 31 in that portion of the latter located below the preeipitant screen 35. The upper rim ot the inner basin 31 is at a lower level than the upper rim cf the intermediate basin 26 but at a slightly higher level than the upper rim of the inner wall 13 of the trough 11.

In the lower portion of the outer basin 10 is provided a precipitant retaining screen 37, this screen being located inst below the lower end of the intermediate basin 2 6 and torming a precipitate pcclret 38 in the outer basin 10.in the portion of the latter located below the precipitant screen 37. The top of the device is provided with a cover 39 which is suitably liinfred at 40.

Having thus described the various parts which are used in my invention tlie operation of the sameniay now be readily un derstood: Before the inetal-bcaring'soliition is admitted to the apparatus the prccpitant,

suoli as Zinc. is charged into the iiner basinV `i 31 so thatthis precipitant is caused'to rest on thescrecn 35 and lls a considerable portion of the inner basin. Additional precipitant is also preferably charged into the compartment al1 located between the outer basin 10 and the intermediate .basin 2G, and

is supported by the screen 37. I1 desired, still further precipitant may be added in the compartment 12 located between the intermediate basin 26 and the inner basin 31. Solution isiadmitted to the apparatus by opening the-valve 18 in the inlet pipe 17.

isoV

Thesolution passes through the apertures into the outer basin 10, first filling the pre- Y cipitate pocl-:et 38 and the discharge outlet 21, the gate valve 22 meanwhile being closed. The solution next 'passes upwardly through the screen 37 and the precipitant within the compartment 41 until it reaches the rim of the inner wall 13 of the trough 11. rThe solution then flows over the rim of the wall 13 into the trough 11 and then passes through the outlet pipe 14 after which it may be collected, its full strength restored,

and it may be used for further leaching the ores. The rapidity of the passage of solution through the apparatus may be controlled by the valve 18 in the pipe 17. The rate of' flow of the solution shoulil be such that with the amount of precipitant used all metal may be precipitated from the solution. By increasingthe amount of precipitant, as, for example. completely filling the compartment 41, and also by using precipitant in the compartment 42, the rate ofvfiow of the solution may be very rapid, thereby making it.

lioV

possible to handle a large amount of solution in a given unit of time. On account of the fact that the precipitate (such as metallic gold) is heavier than the solution and also that the velocity of flow of the solution decreases in its upward movement by reason of the increase of section-al area ot the basins toward their top, the precipitateVV gradually settles into the precipitate pockets 36 and 38. In order to remove the precipitate collectingV in the pocket 36 the inner basin 31 is slightly rotated so that the apertures 32 and 33 are broughtinto resister with, each other., The precipitate lier. drops meegaat;

through these apertures and passes down wardly through `the screen 37 and collects inthe lower precipitate pocket 38. In order to remove the precipitate from thepocket 38 the flask or bottle 24 is lilled with water and attached tothe lower end of the pipe 21El by the connection 25. VThe valve 22 is then opened and the precipitate within the pockets 38 falls by gravity into the nask 24, displacing an equivalent amount of water which rises from the Vflask into the precipitate pocket. When the iiask- 24 is filled with the precipitate the valve 22 is closed, the bottle containing the precipitate is removed, and another bottle is substituted, and the precipitate pocket is again drained of its precipitate. i

It will be evidentl that by means ofthe apparatus which I have described the precipitate Vmay be withdrawn at any 'time without interruptiner the process, while at the same time additional precipitant may be added as required simply by lifting the cover 39 and charging the precipitant in the desired portion of the apparatus. When it is desired to stop the further operation ofV the device` the inlet valve 18 is tirst .closed and the maior portion of the solution is withdrawn bv openingthe valve 16 so that the solution passes through the pine 15 into the outlet pipe 14. The tinal clean-up is then made by opening the valve 22 and washing out through the discharge opening 21 and the pipe 21a all precipitate which is contained within the device and which may have adhered to the walls of the latter.

It will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that many changes could be made in the detailed construction ot the Various parts which I have shown without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. For example. althouo'h I have described three precipitation basins as being used in concentric relation to ea ch other. it will .loe clear that any number ot` such basins might be used: and. although I prete'r to have these basins cone-shaped. other shapes can be -used with satistar-torv results.

What I claim is:

1. A precipitation device, comprising a plurality of concentricallv arranged compartments each ot which is adapted to contain a precipitant. means tor causinga solutionv to How successivelv through said compartments. and means tor Vremoving precipitate collecting in .said compartments during the tlow oi said solution therethrough.

2. In a precipitation device.the combination ot a pluralitv of concentricallv arranged compartments each otV which is adapted to contain aprecipitant and each of which increases in sectional area toward its top. and means Jfor causing a Solution to flow successively through said compartments.

3. A precipitation device, comprising a plurality of basins concentrically arranged, said basins communicating with each other successively at their upper and lower portions, and means for introducing a solution into oneot said basins, whereby said solution is caused to How successively through said basins.

4. A precipitation device, comprising a plurality of conical basins concentrically arranged, saidv basins communicating with each other successively at their upper and lower portions, means for introducing.,T a solution into one of said basins, whereby said solution is caused to flow successively tlnough said basins, and means for removing precipitate collecting in said basins during the iiow of said solution therethrough.

5. A precipitation device, comprising the combination ot a plurality ot conical basins concentrically arranged, means for removably supporting the inner basins within the outer basin in spaced relation to each other, whereby a plurality of Acompartments is formed, said compartments communicating with each other at their upper and lower portions in succession, means for introducing a solution into one of said basins, whereby said solution is kcaused to flow successively through said basins, and a valved discharge opening in .the lower portion of the outer basin, whereby precipitate collecting in said basin may be removed without interrupting the tlow of solution through said device.

6. A precipitation device, comprising the combination of a plurality of conical basins concentricallv arranged and communicating with each other at their upper and lower portions in succession, an inlet pipe extending into the inner basin, means for controlling the flow of solution through said pipe, and av valved discharge opening from the outer basin, whereby precipitate collecting in the latter may be removed without interrupting the flow of solution through said device.

7. In a precipitation device. the combination of a plurality of conical basins concentricallv arranged and communicating with each other at their upper and lower portions in succession, precipitant supporting means in at least one ot said basins, means for introducing solution into the basin containing said supporting means at a point below the latter. and means tor remov ing precipitate collecting in said basin duringthe flow ot solution therethrough.

8. A precipitation device. comprising the combination of a plurality of conical basins concentricallv arranged and communicating with each other at their upper and lower portions in succession. precipitant supporting means in the inner basin. means tor introduciner solution into said inner basin below said supporting means. means for c arrying away solution from the upper portion of the outer basin` and means'for removing from said outer vbasinthe precipitate collecting therein without interrupting the iow of solution through said device.

9. A precipitation device. comprising the combinatirn oia plurality of conicalshaped basins concentrically arranged and com miinicating with each other at their upper Vandflower portions in succession, means for introducing a solution into saidv inner basin, valve means located at the lower portion of saidinner basin,l whereby7 precipitate collecting in said inner basin may bev discharged into an outer basin, and means for removing precipitate from said outer basin without interrupting the iiow of solution 'through said device.

10. In a precipitation device, the combination of a plurality of conical basins concentricallyv arranged and communicating with each other at their upper and lower portions in succession, precipitant supporting means in the inner and the outer basins, means for introducing solution into said inner basin at a point below the supporting means therein, means for discharging` precipitate collecting in said inner basin into said outer basin, and means for removing precipitate in said outer basin without interrupting the flow of solution through said device. Y

11. In a precipitation device, the combination of three conical basins concentrically arranged, the intermediate and outer basins communicating with each other at the llower portion of the form r, the intermediate basin having its upper rim at a higher level than the rim of said inner basin, outlet means from said outer basin at a lower level than the rim of said intermediate basin, means for introducing solution into said in ner basin, whereby said solution will flow upwardly through said inner basin, do-wnwardly through said intermediate basin and Copies of this patent may be obtained for upwardly Vthroughl said outer basin, and. means for withdrawing from said outer basin precipitate collecting therein without interrupting the flow of. said solution therethrough.

' 12. In a precipitation device, the combination ofi-hree conical. basins concentiicallv arranged, the intermediate and outerr basins communicating witheach otherat the lower 'portion of theformer, the intermediate basin'having its .upperrim at a higher level than the rim'V of `said inner basin, outlet means fromsaid'cuter basin at a lower level than the rim or" said intermediate basin, precipitant supporting means in said inner basin and upwardly through said outerbasin,

valve means at the lower portion of the precipitate pocket of said inner basin, whereby precipitate collecting in said inner basin may be discharged into said outer basin, and p a valved outlet from the apex of said outer basin, whereby precipitate may be removed therefrom without interrupting the flow of solution through lsaid precipitation device.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my naine this 24 day-of July, A. D., 1914. Y BRUNO R. KOERING.

Witnesses: Y

CHAs. P. Biivoir, Jr.. H. M. Livines'ioiji.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, I). C. Y 

